BHP Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $55.9 million (FY2024)
Total Assets: $250.1 million (FY2024)
Grant Range: $33,000 - $4.8 million
Median Grant: $938,000
Number of Grants: 53 (FY2024)
Geographic Focus: Global (Australia, Canada, Chile, United States, and 65+ countries)
Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications (invitation only)

Contact Details

Website: bhp-foundation.org
Address: 1455 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004-1008, United States
Phone: 202-383-4443
Email: [email protected] (for concerns about funded projects)

Overview

The BHP Foundation is a corporate foundation solely funded by BHP (the global resources company), established in 2013 as the successor to the UK Charitable Trust BHP Billiton Sustainable Communities. Since its formation, the Foundation has invested over US$433 million in grants, donations, and sponsorships. The Foundation's vision is "an equitable and sustainable future for people and planet," and it pursues this by blending "bold ambition, transformational partnerships and business acumen to catalyze new solutions to the world's most complex social and environmental challenges."

The Foundation operates under its own Board of Directors who define strategy, areas of focus, and activity. In 2016, it launched three Global Signature Programs: Natural Resource Governance, Environmental Resilience, and Education Equity. As of October 2023, the Foundation was funding 38 projects across 65 countries. The Foundation takes an "investment approach," seeking to address root causes of systemic sustainability challenges rather than providing direct service delivery.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Natural Resource Governance Program

Focus: Reducing corruption along the natural resource value chain through research and field work advancing transparency, accountability, and participation
Strengthening inclusive and effective governance, including improving consultation and consent practices for Indigenous peoples and local communities
Partners include: Transparency International, Open Contracting Partnership (US$8 million investment), World Bank

Environmental Resilience Program

Focus: Conserving and sustainably managing large-scale, globally significant natural environments
Building environmental and socio-economic resilience for land, biodiversity, and water resources
Empowering Indigenous peoples and local communities who protect 80%+ of the planet's remaining biodiversity
Partners include: Conservation International (US$50 million+ since 2011), The Nature Conservancy
Example: US$6.5 million for the Lau Seascape Initiative in Fiji

Education Equity Program

US$52 million commitment to address global education disadvantage
Partners include:
- Education Endowment Foundation: £9.8 million (US$12.7 million) over five years
- Brookings Institution Center for Universal Education: US$8 million over five years
- Teach For All
- UN Women

Country Programs (Australia, Canada, Chile, United States)

Focus on Indigenous self-determination, governance, and economic equity
Youth development and breaking social barriers
Water equity and resilience strategies
Example: US$14 million partnership with Mamawi to support Indigenous business in Canada (2025)

Priority Areas

Natural resource governance and anti-corruption
Environmental resilience and conservation
Education equity and evidence-based learning
Indigenous peoples' self-determination and economic equity
Water resilience and sustainability
Systemic change addressing root causes

What They Don't Fund

Individual applicants
Unincorporated entities
Direct service delivery (they seek systemic change)
Projects outside their three signature program areas
Unsolicited proposals

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

Vandita Pant (Chair, since December 2023): BHP Chief Financial Officer, appointed Director in April 2022
Charles Goodyear (Chairman): Receives $50,000 annual compensation
Heather Brown (Director, since November 2023): BHP Vice President Human Resources, formerly VP Global Ethics & Investigations
Carlos Avila (Director, since August 2022): 30 years experience in mining industry
James Agar (Director, since November 2023)

Executive Leadership:

Kristen Ray (Chief Executive Officer, since 2023): Previously Chief Operating Officer for three years, focused on optimizing organizational performance and governance
Maya (Chief Operating Officer, since February 2024): Previously VP Corporate Affairs, Asia at BHP
Helen (Governance & Company Secretary, since early 2023)

CEO Quote: "Mamawi's ambition to transform support for Indigenous entrepreneurs and learners is closely aligned with the BHP Foundation's commitment to advancing economic equity for Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that for Mamawi to truly resonate, it must be Indigenous-led and grounded in Indigenous worldviews." — Kristen Ray, CEO

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The BHP Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Organizations cannot submit applications directly; instead, the Foundation identifies and approaches potential partners that align with their strategic priorities.

The Foundation adopts an "investment approach," providing grant funding to innovative NGOs, think tanks, and national and international institutions with ambition to address root causes of social issues and shift underlying structures preventing equity and sustainability.

Eligible Grantees (when invited):

Innovative NGOs
Think tanks
National and international institutions
Civil society organizations
Government bodies
International institutions

Geographic Eligibility: Primarily organizations operating in Australia, Canada, Chile, or the United States, though global programs fund across 65+ countries.

Getting on Their Radar

Strategic Alignment: The Foundation specifically seeks organizations working on natural resource governance, environmental resilience, and education equity. Projects must address systemic, root-cause issues rather than direct service delivery.
Existing Partner Networks: The Foundation works through networks like Ampliseed (environmental resilience) where they facilitate cross-learning among partner organizations. Being connected to current BHP Foundation partners may increase visibility.
EITI and Extractive Industries Networks: The Foundation is a supporter of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Organizations active in extractive sector governance may be identified through these networks.
Scale and Ambition: The Foundation seeks "potential game-changing projects" that can "drive transformational change." Grant sizes (median $938,000) indicate they partner with established organizations capable of large-scale impact.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only model, partnerships are developed through relationship-building rather than formal application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable—the Foundation does not maintain an open application process with tracked success rates.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—no formal application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the BHP Foundation operates by invitation only, potential partners should consider:

Systemic Change Focus: The Foundation explicitly seeks to "shift the underlying structures that prevent equity and sustainability." They do not fund direct service delivery; projects must address root causes.
Transformational Partnerships: The Foundation emphasizes "cross sector partnerships, bringing together the combined expertise of industry, civil society, governments and international institutions." Multi-stakeholder approaches are valued.
Evidence-Based Approach: Their Education Equity program has invested heavily in evidence ecosystems (Education Endowment Foundation, Brookings). Projects with strong research components and scalable evidence are prioritized.
Indigenous Leadership: For country programs, the Foundation emphasizes Indigenous-led initiatives and self-determination. CEO Kristen Ray stated projects "must be Indigenous-led and grounded in Indigenous worldviews."
Resources Sector Relevance: As a foundation funded by a mining company, programs address "challenges that are directly relevant to the resources sector." Alignment with extractive industry sustainability is important.
Examples of Recently Funded Projects:
- Australian Indigenous Governance Institute: $807,000 for supporting self-determined governance
- Open Contracting Partnership: US$8 million for procurement reform in resource-rich countries
- Conservation International: Multi-year partnerships totaling $50 million+
- Alto Mayo Project (Peru): Sustainable landscape model promoting conservation and climate resilience

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-Only Model: The BHP Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations must be identified and approached by the Foundation, so building visibility in relevant networks is essential.
Large-Scale Partnerships: With a median grant of $938,000 and maximum grants exceeding $4.8 million, this is not a foundation for small organizations or projects. They seek established institutions capable of transformational impact.
Systemic Focus Required: Direct service delivery is not funded. All projects must demonstrate potential for systemic change, addressing root causes of sustainability challenges.
Three Signature Programs: Alignment with Natural Resource Governance, Environmental Resilience, or Education Equity is essential. Country programs in Australia, Canada, Chile, and the United States offer additional pathways focused on Indigenous equity.
Resources Sector Nexus: As a BHP-funded foundation, relevance to the extractive industries sector is valued. Projects addressing mining community impacts, environmental governance, or resource wealth distribution have strategic alignment.
Network Connections Matter: Building relationships with current BHP Foundation partners (Transparency International, Conservation International, Open Contracting Partnership, Education Endowment Foundation) may increase visibility for future partnership consideration.
Long-Term Partnerships: The Foundation makes multi-year commitments (often 5+ years) to strategic partners, suggesting they value sustained relationships over one-time grants.

References

Information accessed December 2025